The Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Philippine agency mandated to fight bureaucratic red tape, is reviewing existing regulations and processes that affect the maritime sector as the government aims to attract investors in shipbuilding and ship repair sector.
Secretary Ernesto V. Perez of ARTA said at the opening Wednesday, Nov. 12, of the “Revitalizing the Philippine Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry” seminar, that one of the primordial objectives of the event was to review the existing regulations regime in the shipbuilding and ship repair sector to ensure ease of doing business in the sector.
“This seminar was organized to pursue several key objectives. First, we aim to review existing regulations and processes that affect the shipbuilding and ship repair sector,” he said at the event that gathered industry stakeholders.
“By identifying areas for improvement, we can propose reforms that will make it easier for businesses to operate and expand,” said Perez.
(Photo credit: https://arta.gov.ph/the-execom)
ARTA has been reviewing government registration and permitting processes on certain sectors to facilitate ease of doing business in the country. The maritime sector is the latest that the agency is looking into.
Co-organized by the Royal Danish embassy in the Philippines and the Maritime Industry Authority, the seminar also explored explore strategies to improve
shipyard infrastructure, develop skilled workers, and adopt technologies that will make domestic shipyards more competitive.
In addition, the seminar gathered experts and stakeholders to generate recommendations that will guide future actions and policies.
The Philippines is already recognized as one of the top five shipbuilders in the world, following China, South Korea, Japan, and the European Union, by gross tonnage, with more than 130 shipyards nationwide.
These shipyards employ more than 11,000 skilled professionals. In addition, the Philippines is the leading suppliers of seafarers globally.
But, Perez stressed the need to strengthen these foundations.
Already, the government is steering investments in shipyard modernization, green ship recycling, and sustainable infrastructure under the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028.
Complementing this is the proposed Shipbuilding and Ship Repair (SBSR) Development Bill, which aims to institutionalize policies that will further
stimulate growth in this sector.
